Parachute device.



L. MILLER.

PARAGHUTB DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED D20. 7, 1911.

1,037,959. Patented Sept. 10, 1912.

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anon W11 L; MILLER.

PARAGHUTE DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 7, 1911.

1,037,959, PatentedSept. 10, 1912.

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APPLICATION FILED D110. 7, 1911.

1,037,959,, Patented Sept. 10,1912.

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I V I I F J L attozwmg LEE MILLER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PARACHUTE DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 10, 1912.

Application filed December 7, 1911. Serial No. 664,413.

To all whom it may concern:

. Be it- 'lrnown that I, LEE MILLER, a citizen ofthe United States-residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and-State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Parachute Device, of which the followin'r is a specifica- I tion.

The invention relates to aerial life s..- ving devices .of'the'parachute type,-a-nd for its obj ectth'eprovision'of a device wh ch can be worn as apartof the clothing of aviators operating aeroplanes, balloons, and the like,

or-those engaged'as steeple jacks-atlofty elevations, and subject to-danger fromfull- 1n A further object of the invention is to provide, in connection with the'- parachute, for

the automatic and rapid expansion of the same regardless of the position assumed by the wearer in his fall.

' 'Another object of the invention is the combination, in such a device of asize sufiicient to support the heaviest man, of the neoessary elements to effect its automatic operation in such manner as to entail the least bii'r'den because of the weight and the least interference with the movements of the person so equipped.

W'ith these and other objects in view, the invention consists inthe construction and novel combination of parts hereinafter fully described,illustrated. in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended; it being understood that various changes in the forrn, proportion, size and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claims-may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing materially the advantages of the in- 'vention.

In the drawings :Figure 1 represents an elevation of the invention 1n use. F1 2 1S a side elevationflof the device-as carried by the aviator. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section'.of the-device as worn, taken on the 5 line 33 of Fig. 4. Fig. i is a vertical trans verse section on the-line 4 -4 of Fig. 3. Fig. '5 is a sectional detail showing the connection between the parachute ring and harness.

Fig. 6 is-a perspective view of'a portionof the harness with the hood removed; Fig. 7

is a similar view showing the ducts and hood I but with the yoke removed. Fig. 8- is-a'develop'm'ent of the outer case; Fig t) is adetail of the friction-clamp: Fig. 10 1S atransverse section through the duetin its upper erence numeral 1 designates a parachutebody, whichis the segment 'of a sphere and has a diameter of about fifteen feet with a depth of from three .to five feet. The body ispr'ovided at the top with an opening 2 of suflicient size to allow a slight escape of air therethrough to prevent oscillation, and it is also provided with circumferential and radial reinforcing cords 3 and 4. At the outer termin'ii 5 of the radial cords, supporting cords 6 are attached in the usual manner, these supporting cords converging to a connection with the attaching ring 7.

' The parachute thus far described is of the usual construction except that itis necessary in order to adapt it for use in this connectionto make the same of aspccial quality of silk,

which shall havethe leastweight consistent with the required strength. I have found 'itadvantageous to use a'silk weighing about 2.6 ounces to the square yard and have resistance to rupture of about thirty-two pounds per inch. Material of this sort in a parachutehaving a diameter of fifteen'fe'et,

as stated,:weighs about three and one half v pounds complete.

The parachute ring 7 is riveted upon its opposite sides, as shown in Figs. Band 6 through the flexible strap 8 to the rigid yoke. 9, the said strap divided in its lower portion into branches 10 and 11 united at 12 and 13' to a belt 14, adapted .to encircle-the aviator immediately beneath the arms. -Upon the opposite side of the ring-the strap is likewise divided into portions 10" and 11" secured to the belt at 12 and 13. The yoke 9 extends downwardly in parallel relation to the strap 8 andse cured thereto at spaced intervals by the fastenings 15. Each arm of the yoke has loosely mounted on its lower end the shoulder-pads 16, which are pivoted to the said yoke by a pivot pin. 17, passingthrough .the lower. end of the yoke'and ears 18 upstanding from the pads; These pads .are preferably cup-shaped and lined with a yielding materiah The'adjustment of thef various parts of the strap and yoke is'sueh that when'the strap at)v 14 encircles the body beneath the arms and chin by the lacing cords 20. This hood is arranged beneath the strap 8 and the yoke 9 and is provided in its cheek portions with ears 21 and 22 serving a purpose, which will behereafter described.

The hood with its attachments and the belt,'strap and yoke constitute a harness by means of which the parachute device is attaohed to and supported by the body of the wearer. Upon the rear of this harness and preferably upon a downward extension of the hood overlying the wearers shoulders is supported a frame composed of rigid horizontal side members 23 and horizontal' rear members 24, the. rear members jointed fat 25 and 26 to the respective side members, and the side members pivoted at'27 and 28 to the rear portion of the hood. Elastic cords 29 connect the upper and lower-members of the frame at the junc-.

tion points of the. rear and side members, while elastic cords BO-extend from the junction. points of the lower frame members to the; rear portion of the belt and elastic cords 31 extend from the junction points of the upper frame members to the hood, connecting therewith at a point 32 adjacent the ears of the wearer.

. An inflater33 of flexible material is arranged at the rear of the hood and extends from a point above the crown of the hood to the space embraced within the frames. This inflater in its upper portion has a single channel 34 with its walls composed of flexible material, the side walls 35 folded longitudinally, bellows-like, in order to render the same extensible laterally when inflated. In the lower portion this inflater is divided longitudinally by a membrane 36, which separates the interior of the duct into two channel s37 and --38, the side walls of which are longitudinally folded at 39 and 4.0. At thelower endportion within the frame the membrane is extended to a connection with the lower rear frame member, and theledge walls 40 of the channel nearest the headare secured to the loweroside members of the frame, thusmaking of the said frame a ri 'd dist-ending device holding the mouth of ti einflater open and flared downwardly. The rear wall 41 of the inflater at its lower endis connected at 42 to the upper side members of the frame and thence ex-- tending across the frame, while the membrane .at a point above its lower edge carries an extension 36" curved upwardly and connected to the rear upper member of the frame,ithus forming a distended upwardly turned flaring mouth for the rear channel of the infiater.

It will be observed that upward currents of air will enter the forward channel of the infiater in its lower portion and thence traverse the upper channel of the same, the action of the air thereon tending to press the membrane to the rear and prevent return currents through the rear channel, whereas downward currents of air will enter the upwardly flaring mouth of the rear channel, passing to the single channel of the upper portion and tending to press the membrane forward so as to close the front channel. This provision-is intended to meet the conditions present during a fall, directing the relative upward rush of air into and through the infiater whether the wearer falls head first or feet first. f

The parachute body is arranged to be folded bellows-fashion along the arcs of the great circles passing through the apex, as shown in Fig. 4. It is then folded endwise together with the cords 6 alongside the u per extension of the inflater 331without folding the latter, and as thus folded is laid upon the yoke 9 above the head.

A case 43 is provided, which is composed of a body portion of substantially the shape shown in Fig. 8, having one side incut and provided with gores 44 stitched together to form the bands 45 tofitthe forehead, the body being provided atitsfourcorners with friction clamps 46 and 46, each of which consists of two members 47 and 48 pivoted at 49 and arranged to grip with their-jaws 50 the cars 21 heretofore referred to as carried by the ho'od 19, said jaws pressed to, gether by the spring 51. The case thus ormed is placed above the folded parachute, the band drawn across theforehead and the two front clamps 46 engaged with the ears 22, the rear portion of the case is then drawn forward to envelop the rear portion of the folded parachute and inclosed' inflater and the'clamps 46 attached to the cars 21, thus protecting the folded parachute from disv arrangement by air currents met with from in front during travel through the air in a normal manner.

The equipment of the aviator when ready for flight 1S represented in Fig. 2, from which will be seen that no interferenceis presented to the free movements of the wearer and the appearance is not such as to excite particular attention from observers. If the aviator thus equipped falls from the balloon or aeroplane, or from other high 1 elevations feet foremost the resultant upit off with his hand,

wardly rushing air currents will enter the forward duct of the inflater expanding its bellows-like sides to their full capacity and discharging, as will be seen from Fig.3,into the folds of the parachute above'his head. If he falls head first, the upwardly rushing air will enter the rear duct acting in like manner to extend the Walls to the full capacity of the saidv duct and dischargingat the same pointinto the folded parachute. The expansion of the duct walls exerts an outward pressure'upon the case more than sufficient to release the clamps 46 from the ears 21 and the expansion of the folded parachute will release the clamps 46 from the ears 22, thus throwing off the enveloping case and freein the parachute,wh.ich being rapidly expan ed by the inrushing air assumes the position shown in F i 1 and supports the weight of the man. he capacity of the inflater is such that the parachute will be fully extended within-the first few yards of descent, so that if the elevation is sufficient to cause material injury, the parachute will expand and break the fall. If the distance is not sufiicient to allow the arachute to expand, the arrangement 0 the same upon the head of the wearer will serve as a cushioning device to revent injury from contact with the ground or from arts of the machine striking the head 0 the person. a

It will be understood that if the man when he starts to fall is in full possession of his faculties, he need not wait for the automatic release of the hood but may snatch If, however, he is panic stricken or is affected with mountain sickness causing unconsciousness, the duct will work automatically and with certainty. With the inflater capacity illustrated and v found advantageous by test the lateral pressure upon the walls of the inflater caused by the inrushing air currents and acting to release the outer case rapidly,increases with the descent from a pressure of slightly more than a half'pound to the square foot at the end of a fall of five feet; three pounds at the end of twenty feet; ten ounds at the end of seventy-five feet, and ourteen pounds at the end of one hundred feet, from which it will be seen that the disengagement of the friction clamps from the ears 21 and 2-2 and the conse uent release of the hood and expansion o the parachute is certain to follow a fall whatever be the initial position of the aviator.

The provisionof the elastic connection of the frame-work with points above and below the same and at each side thereof, guards against the breakiggsof said frame-work bv' striking against tructions while being worn, the elastic cords yielding to an extent sufficient to prevent breaking of the frame which might otherwise result. 7

What is claimed is z--- 1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a foldable parachute having suspension cords, and a harness arranged to be attached to the body of the aviator and to the suspension cords, of an inflater comprising an air duct having .ex ansible walls and discharging within the olds of the parachute, a case enveloping the col lapsed infiater, and detachable means securing the case in position.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a foldable parachute having an attaching ring for suspension cords, of a harness arranged to be attached to the aviators body and to the ring and supporting the folded parachute above the head, and an inflater carried by the harness and comprising an upwardly tapering duct having expansible walls and terminating within the folds of the parachute, a case enveloping the parachute and inflater, and releas able means connecting the case to the harness.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with a foldable parachute having suspension cords, and a harness arranged for attachment to the body of the wearer, said harness comprising a belt passing beneath the arms, flexible members extending from the belt on each side and above the head to a connection with the suspension cords, and rigid members supported upon the shoulders and extending above the head beneath the folded parachute, of an intlater comprisin an air duct having ex ansible walls and ischarging within the olds of the parachute, a case enveloping the collapsed infiater, and detachable means secur iv the case in position.

4. n a device of the class described, the combination with a foldable parachute having a central upper vent, suspension cords, and an attaching ring, a harness arranged to be attached to the body of the aviator and comprising a belt, strapsv connected to said belt and extending from each side thereof above the head to a connection with the ring, ds to overlie the shoulders, a r' id yoke caring upon the pads and extending above the head beneath the ring as a sup port for the folded parachute, a hood enveloping the head and extending downwardly over the shoulders, of an inflater mounted in substantial vertical position upon the rear-depending portion of the hood and extending from the lower portion thereof to a point above the crown and within the folds of the parachute,said inflater having extensible normally collapsed walls, a case enveloping the parachute and inflater, and a releasable connection between the case and the hood.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination with a foldable parachute having a central upper vent, suspension cords, and an attaching ring, a harness arranged to be attached to the body of the aviator and comprising a belt, straps connected to said 5 belt and extending from each side thereof above the head to a connection with the ring, pads to overlie the shoulders, a rigid oke bearing upon the pads and extending a ove the head beneath the ring as a support for the folded parachute, a hood enveloping the head and extending downwardly over the shoulders, of an inflater mounted upon the rear of the harness and comprising an air duct extending in a substantially vertical direction and discharging within the folds of the parachute, said duct having normally collapsed extensible walls and provided in its lower portion with a longitudinally extending membrane dividing said duct .into two channels, one having a downwardly opened flared mouth and the other having an upwardly turned flared mouth, a case envelo ing the hood and inflater, and a releasab e connection between the case and the harness.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination with a foldable parachute having a central upper vent, suspension cords, and an attaching ring, a harness arranged to be attached to the body of the aviator and comprising a belt, straps connected to said belt and extending from each side thereof above the head to a connection with the ring, pads to overlie the shoulders, a rigid .yoke bearing upon the pads and extending above the head beneath the ring as a support for the folded parachute, a. hood enveloping the head and extending downwardly over the shoulders, of a framework mounted upon the rear of the harness, an inflater consisting of an air duct extending in a substantially vertical direction from said frame and discharging within the folds of the parachute, said air duct having extensible walls open at both ends, the lower end opening downwardly and distended by the frame-work, and a case enveloping the folded parachute and the collapsed inflater, and a detachable connection between the ca6e.and the harness.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination'with a foldable parachute having a central upper vent, suspension cords, and an attaching ring, a harness arranged to be attached to the body of the aviator and comprising a belt, straps connected to said' belt and extending from each side thereof above the head to a connection with the ring, pads to overlie the shoulders, a rigid yoke bearing upon the ads and extending above the head beneat the ring as a su port for the folded parachute, a hood enve oping the head and extending downwardly over the shoulders, of a jointed c5 frame-work pivotally mounted at the rear of the harness, elastic stays connecting the jointed frame members with the harness, an inflater comprising an air duct extendin from said frame-work u wardlyin a' su stantially vertical direction and discharging within the folds of the arachute, said air duct having normally col apsed extensible walls terminating below in an outwardly flaring mouth distended by the frame, a case enveloping the folded parachute and collapsed air duct, ears attached to the hood, and friction clamps connecting the case to the ears. r

8. In a device of the class described, the combination with a foldable parachute having a central upper vent, suspension cords, and an attaching ring, a harness arranged to be attached to the bodyrof the aviator and comprising a belt stra's connected to said belt and extendingv rom each side 85 thereof above the head to a connection with the ring, pads to overlie the shoulders, a rigid yoke bearing upon the pads and-extending above the head beneath the ring as a support for the folded parachute, a hood enveloping the head and extending downwardly over the shoulders, of a frame-work pivot-ally mounted upon the rear of the harness and comprising upper and lower frame members, an mflater comprising an air duct extending in a substantially vertical direction from the frame-work and dischar g within the folds of the parachute, sai air duct having normally collapsed extensible walls and in its lower portion provided with a longitudinally extendin membrane dividing said duct lnto two c annels, the lower portion of the membrane and the side walls of the forward channel connected to and distended by the lower frame member, the said membrane also provided with an extension attached to the rear side of the upper frame member and the rear wall of the rear channel extending transversely of the frame-work to present between the membrane extension and rear walls, an upwardly directed flaring mouth for the rear channel, a case enveloping the folded parachute and the up r portion of the collapsed inflater, an detachable clamps con- 115 necting the four corners of the said case to the harness.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination with a foldable parachute having a central upper vent, suspension cords, 12 and an attaching ring, a harness arranged to be attached to the body of the aviator and comprising a belt, straps connected to said belt and extending from each side thereof above the head to a connection with the ring, 25 EldS to overlie the shoulders, a rigid ygke aring upon the pads and extending a ve the head beneath the ring asasupport for the folded parachute, a hood enveloping the head and extending downwardly over the 136 shoulders, of a framework pivotally mounted in the rear of the harness and comprising upper and lower jointed .frame' members, an elastic connection "bet-ween said' frame members, and elastic-stays connecting the joints of the, said members andthe harness above and below and laterally of their ivotal connection of-said frame, and an 1nmflater comprising an'air'duct extending from said frame in a substantially vertical direction and discharging within the folds of the parachutesaid air. duct having normally collapsed extensible 'walls and pro-' vided in its lower portion with separate mouths, one distended by the upper frame members and opening upwardly and the other distended by the lower frame members and opening downwardly, a case ar ranged to envelop the folded parachute and the upper collapsed portion of the inflater, 20

IZEE' MILLER.

Witnesses:- I I H, Knnnr :n,- C. C. TninL. 

